He'Brew Funky Jewbelation - Shmaltz Brewing Company

DCon

Missouri

4.18/5  rDev +12.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Enjoyed on-tap @ the East Nashville Beer Festival in East Nashville, TN. Tapped from the "Bottle" handle w/ Funky Jewbelation branded into my 8oz Yazoo Festival Glass.

Aroma- Tons of booze and strong ale characteristics. Malt forward and has an interesting funk hanging in the background. Mellow berries also shoot out on the nose. Very nice!

Appearance- Pours a .5 finger, dark brown head that has good retention. Has a opaque body and definitely brown. Leaves thick lacing behind that coats the glass.

Flavor- Malt strong, tons of berries and fruit character, and then has a good amount of booze once again. Light-medium bitterness.

Mouthfeel- Medium-Full Bodied while also being thin, Light Carbonation, and has a boozy finish.

Overall Impression- A VERY interesting one by Shmaltz. I've had the Jewbelation before so decided to hit this one first on this special day. Just like the brand. A funky strong ale.

Serving type: on-tap

04-09-2012 16:45:12 | More by DCon

alexhahn82

California

4.23/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

A - Thin with a large quickly dissipating head.

s- vinergary weirdness for lack of a better term.

T - intense grainy sweetness with a finish of dry bite. I think there are a lot of strong flavors that are raging a war to figure out who will win the top flavor prize. I think this will be much better in 2 or 3 years.

m - bite of strong carbonation with tartness and sweetness.

o - a perfect "port" style desert beer if you will, well played at the 9.8% abv.

pp (Price Point) - $10 a bottle is well worth it, bought the only 4 on the shelf!

Serving type: bottle

04-14-2012 04:26:50 | More by alexhahn82

zaphodchak

Virginia

4.23/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

Half finger of offwhite head and an almost opaque brown body. Tiny trace of retention, not a lot of lace.

Nose has a distinctive brett tang, definitely the suggested funk.

Lots of brett up front, probably more to come with time. Underneath that, a sweet oud bruin with a bit of bourbon and bready rye undertone. Overall pleasant and balanced, on the sweet side.

Feel is nice and thick but not syrupy, good body.

This was pretty great. For some reason I didn't expect the brett since I didn't remember it on the bottle label, but it's definitely good and well-balanced. Don't know if I'll get another to age, but worth aging if you have one I'd bet.

Serving type: bottle

04-22-2012 02:21:33 | More by zaphodchak

johnmichaelsen

Oregon

4.23/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

On tap at Max's today.

The beer pours a dark rootbeer color with good head retention and lacing. The nose is likewise attractive, and the beer smells as if it will be on the sweet side (something I confirmed after my first sip). Otherwise, I get some concord grape, brown sugar, vanilla, chocolate in this beer and hint of bourbon on the nose. On the palate, this beer is just terrific. I toyed with giving it a score of 5 here, but the sweetness in this beer is a bit much. Otherwisee, I get an incredible combination of fruit cocktail, brown sugar, light caramel, a hint of citrus, chocolate and light booze. The flavor combination is exotic and complex in this rich beer, though needless to say, a little bit goes a long way. Mouthfeel is medium bodied to full, with a long, sweet, somewhat citrusy finish. Alcohol is noticeable, but is not over done. The beer is not hot or tiring on the palate, despite the sweetness.

Pretty impressive stuff from Shmaltz brewing.

Serving type: on-tap

04-27-2012 19:36:16 | More by johnmichaelsen

canucklehead

British Columbia (Canada)

4.23/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Quite a complex beer that opens up with time in the glass and shows both elements of a DIPA, a Barley Wine and a Belgian Dubbel. The barrel aging is apparent in both the nose and the vanilla notes in the finish. Sometimes the sweetness is a little too much but mostly this beer is in the zone. Extra aging might dry it out a bit but it is drinkable right now.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2012 01:04:28 | More by canucklehead

jera1350

Minnesota

4.23/5  rDev +13.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Black with a tan head. Sweet hoppy molasses nose. He taste is extremely sweet with raisin, prune, fig, molasses, herbal, floral, hoppy and malty. Hints of barrel notes. Smooth and full bodied. So much going on and such a unique taste, but overall a great trip.

Serving type: on-tap

06-13-2012 21:54:38 | More by jera1350

cindyjeffsmith

Georgia

4.25/5  rDev +14.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance: Dark mahogany. for a near 10%'er, quite a tan, messy head.
smell: Wow, quite a mixture of smells as to be expected from the 6 blend menagerie. A sourness up front with solid malt and bourbon support. I sniff Lenny's RIPA in there too.
taste: That is well done. Just reading the blend I figured it would be somewhere between a chaotic mess and a divine blend. It's closer to the latter. Not quite an FW anniversary blend but damn good. Not a big sour fan but the hint really works here.
overall: Smooth and interesting.

Serving type: bottle

04-15-2012 21:44:48 | More by cindyjeffsmith

alk3kenny

Georgia

4.26/5  rDev +14.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25

Pours dark dark some ruby color around the edges not a ton of head . Smell is complex dark fruits candy sweetness wood alcohol. Wow taste is different sour fruit some banana i expected the barrel aging to leave more mellow flavors but you can tell there are aspects of different beers here. Not too hot either I like this.

Serving type: bottle

03-18-2013 01:40:19 | More by alk3kenny

SMortiL987

Louisiana

4.3/5  rDev +15.6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Opaque black, tan-brown head which persisted until about half way through. Very stout like.

S - Prunes, & brown sugar or apparent. A little alcohol present.

T - Overt sweetness. I only get a touch of roast for how dark it is. Hops aren't overly present either. Citrus sourness is apparent, very grapefruit like sourness.

M - Thick mouthfeel, light carbonation. Perceived sweetness sticks around, not overly dry. Perceived slickness on the tongue, but can't tell if that's from sweetness or diacetyl.

O - Very unique beers. It made me say "wow" out loud upon the first sip. So much going on with this beer I don't know where to start. A sour, sweet, touch bitter and alcohol experience. Check it out if you can, it's very unique. Very big beer without being overly boozy. I was content with half a pint pour.

Serving type: on-tap

05-25-2012 18:05:31 | More by SMortiL987

RuckusDu

Colorado

4.33/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Bottle date of 3/6/12 into New Belgium Globe.

A - About two fingers of nice tan head. Bubles are large and pop quickly, but because there are so many of them, they seem to stick a while. Body is dark. Maybe needs 3mm or less to see light through it. Some red to it.

S - Nice oud bruin style scent. Good dark fruit sour smells like cherries and prunes. Also a hint of chocolates.

T - This is prime time. One of those dark sours that is wonderful. The rye is very light. Mostly cherries, chocolate, and red wine. Very pleasant.

M - Moderate on the carb and body. Nothing special but where it needs to be.

O - I would compare this to the other great dark sours like Collage and Maroon Acidifie. The chocolate is a nice touch.

Serving type: bottle

06-15-2012 01:51:56 | More by RuckusDu

Mora2000

Texas

4.33/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Big thanks to jjfoodie for sharing this bottle. Drank alongside Jewbelation 15 and Genesis 15:15.

The beer pours a brownish color with a tan head. The aroma has a lot of dark fruit, with some toffee and rye whiskey notes mixed in as well. The flavor is quite a bit more complex. I get the same rye notes from the aroma, but there is also a lot of cherry and raisin notes, as well as a lot of character from the barrels. I get some oak, maple and vanilla. There is also a hint of alcohol, but it is more well hidden than in a lot of He'Brew beers. Medium mouthfeel and medium carbonation. Of the three beers drank in the flight, this one was my favorite.

Serving type: bottle

06-16-2012 15:48:18 | More by Mora2000

Fatehunter

Oregon

4.33/5  rDev +16.4%
look: 3 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 4

A thin tan head on a black body.
The aroma is wood, molasses, alcohol and chocolate.
Well, the taste is outstanding. It's amazing that this is a blend of six barrel aged ales and that it tastes this good. Where to begin? There are bits of every one of the six beers in this one beer and they all play together nicely.
The texture is smooth with low carbonation.
Try it.

Serving type: bottle

02-19-2013 00:12:09 | More by Fatehunter

Brenden

Ohio

4.4/5  rDev +18.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5

A thick dark brown that's not quite motor oil thick or dark, this beer grows a brown head up to about a finger high. Retention is good, as the head doesn't fade much. Lacing is left in patches to the middle of the glass and a little beyond.
There's lots of complexity in the aroma. A little bit balsamic with caramel sweetness, some rye spiciness and mildly earthy notes, and some dark fruits, it foretells the complexity and depth that will be found in the flavor. Alcohol is well masked.
The flavor opens up even more, and it's such a good mix of a little tart, a little sour, a little sweet, and full of flavor with a great display of skill being shown in the masking of overly alcoholic notes between the high ABV and the whiskey and bourbon barrels. The earthiness and gentle spicy note are just enough underneath, as I imagine it's just what's pulled from those rye whiskey barrels. Delicious.
This is a big-bodied, robust, and smooth beer. A strong ale it is, but it doesn't overwhelm anymore in the feel than in the smell or taste. Even a little crisp, it brings a nice bit of dryness into the finish.
This beer and its overall reviews make me wish more BAs would rather have depth in their beer than just being overpowered by it.

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 22:37:26 | More by Brenden

korguy123

Ontario (Canada)

4.43/5  rDev +19.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Batch 001/999
Bottled in March of 2012

A- Totally opaque black pour with a finger and a half creamy off white head. Lacing is pretty good for a barrel aged beer.

S- Right up front you get a boat load of sour mash from the whiskey barrels. Dark malts, brown sugar, vanilla, licorice, black strap and some grape juice and apple skins. There is some shoe leather, a touch a peat and a bit of oak and tobacco. It's pretty funky, and very complex. There truly is a lot going on in here.

T- Brown sugar and sour mash compete for supremacy. Grape juice with apple skins than it shifts to super sweet. Brown sugar, vanilla, molasses, figs, dates and plums. The barrel ageing is evident and it really helps meld everything together.

M- Medium to full bodied, wonderful chew to it, carbonation is low as expected and the finish is sticky on the lips.

O- The He'Brew brand and me at first was a awful relationship. My first experience with them was their brown ale and it was a drain pour. I've bought every special beer they've released and have been floored with the results of them all. I think they should maybe stick to speciality beers only lol.

Serving type: bottle

07-16-2012 00:44:20 | More by korguy123

ngeunit1

California

4.43/5  rDev +19.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

A - Pours a dark brown-black color with a finger of frothy khaki-chocolate colored head. The head fades away fairly slowly leaving behind some lacing.

S - Aroma is full of oak, vanilla, and Bourbon, with some rye, molasses, dark fruits, cherries, chocolate, and a bit of black licorice, hops, and booze.

T - Starts off with sweet dark fruits with some raisin and sour cherries, with some chocolate, vanilla, and some black licorice. Through the middle, the Bourbon and oak comes through with some rye, molasses, and some more sour cherries. The finish is a mix of sour cherries and dark fruits, vanilla, oak, Bourbon, rye, with some molasses, chocolate, and a bit of booze.

M - Full bodied with moderate carbonation. Feels smooth and syrupy with a warming, sweet, and lightly sour finish.

D - Very drinkable. Really interesting blend. Good bold and complex flavors with just the right amount of sourness.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2012 02:17:07 | More by ngeunit1

ChugginOil

Illinois

4.48/5  rDev +20.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Happy to try this interesting beer.

Pours a dark ruby tinted brown that is very dark. There is a thin ring of light tan head. Tiny spots of lace.

The nose consists of cherry, dark fruit, butterscotch, vanilla, light oak, and just a td bit of rye spice.

The taste is a beast in the game. Cherry, caramel sweetness, rye spice, dark fruits, and a bit of vanilla.

The mouthfeel is full and thick as most of the Brews brews is. Creamy and rich, a bit gritty, sweet and beast.

Overall, another great turnout from the barrel program at Shmaltz. Rich and luxurious.

Serving type: bottle

04-17-2012 06:48:20 | More by ChugginOil

donkeyrunner

Massachusetts

4.48/5  rDev +20.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Dark brown with a substantial toasted beige head. Good lace and retention. Nifty Jew 'fro bottle art.

Smells like a sour version of those root beer barrel hard candies. Sour whiskey dark fruit.

Tastes like sour whiskey, root beer, and barrel-y dark fruit. Flavors are very complimentary and balanced. Velvety mouthfeel.

I like whiskey. I like root beer. I like whiskey and root beer in my beer.

Serving type: bottle

05-30-2012 00:14:41 | More by donkeyrunner

Pencible

Virginia

4.5/5  rDev +21%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: This poured a nearly opaque black cherry with thick tan head.
S: It smelled like funky oak and tart apple, with rye bread and sweet caramel and toasted coconut.
T: It tasted like sweet sugary caramel and tart apple and funky oak, with toasted coconut and sour cherry and bitter dark chocolate. It had a clean sweet and tart aftertaste.
M: It was thick and chewy with moderate smooth carbonation. Great full body.
D: This was a great complex beer most similar to an Oud Bruin. The smell and taste were fantastic, and the body was perfect. The alcohol was well hidden, and the finish was smooth, so it was amazingly easy to drink. This beer will probably age for a long time, but it was still delicious fresh. Recommended.

Serving type: bottle

05-26-2012 19:57:06 | More by Pencible

GPHarris

Alabama

4.5/5  rDev +21%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

3rd night of Hanukkah 2012...

a - poured a two-fingers thick creamy tan head into a tulip glass that left a thick ring and sheet throughout. the body was dark black with some red tinting.
s - tart fruits come through first with a hint of bourbon.
t - bourbon, rye, big malty flavors.
m - very chewy and creamy.
o - loved this beer, really well blended. i am a huge fan of their jewbelation beers and this one was no exception.

Serving type: bottle

12-12-2012 17:15:54 | More by GPHarris

lacqueredmouse

Australia

4.55/5  rDev +22.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

I purchased this bottle from Berkeley Bowl West in Berkeley CA, and brought it back to Australia where I shared it with @LaitueGonflable and @tobeerornottobe.

Pours a deep, thick, black, with a gorgeously dark head of chunky mocha-brown. Lacing is speckled but forms as the persistent chunky head moves around the glass. Body is thick and heavy, and leaves streaking streams of fine carbonation. All up, it's a pretty damn fine looking beer.

Nose is rich, sweet and deep, split by a pealing bright funk that lends acidity to the mix. Plenty of roast sweetness and a rounded barrel character to carry it through this, however, and it ends up more boozy, rich and sweet than funky or tart. Slight mineral characters round it off, always giving the suggestion that you're not fully aware of its full complexity. Lovely stuff.

Taste is deep and sweet, but again dogged by that persistent mild acidity that weaves its way amongst the barrel-aging, the mild roast astringency and the booziness, so you never really seem to see it out in the open. It leaves a smooth lemon-custard character: probably citric and biting, but also caught up with the sweetness and richness that surrounds it. It's an impressive beer.

Feel is pretty much perfect: smooth, clear and rich, providing just the right amount of weight for the flavours.

Overall, this is superb stuff. It blends all the oddities into a gorgeous, complex but coherent and balance whole. I think this is a step up even from the regular Jewbelations. Love it.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2012 04:36:24 | More by lacqueredmouse

CaptDavyJones

New York

4.58/5  rDev +23.1%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Poured a dark mahogany color from a 22 oz bomber. Deep ruby red hues along the edges with some light penetration.
The label has all the details about the beers used to make the final blend and also includes the batch and date of bottling.
A nice one finger light tan colored head that dissipates very slowly to a thin film.
The bourbon stands out straightaway. Blast of bourbon, charred wood with hints of caramel and sweet alcohol aroma.
The bourbon is also dominant in the taste. Blast of bourbon upfront that slowly mellows towards the middle to give way to sweet caramel toffee notes. Hint of bitterness towards the finish, which is on the drier side. The finish does make you want to sip more. A big, extreme beer that does not hold back.
As it warms up there are some fruity elements that stand out.
Not a lot of lacing along the sides of the glass.
A perfect sipper on a nice, chilly evening. I am sure age will only make this beer better.
Overall, this is a very good blend from Shmaltz.
Definitely worth a try and comes highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

04-21-2012 02:56:11 | More by CaptDavyJones

EkimGram

New York

4.6/5  rDev +23.7%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

Appearance: 22oz bottle poured into a large snifter. Colour is a dark brown with a toffee-brownish head - half a finger in height, fades slowly to a thin film leaving behind nice lacing.

Smell: Lots of dark fruits supported by a nice, sweet aroma from the bourbon barrels; cloying and boozy.

Taste: Funky indeed! The different flavours just keep cycling through my taste buds: sweet dark fruits, hard liquor, bourbon, smokey whiskey, and just a hint of rye. The layers are endless.

Mouthfeel: Full body, silky, and very sticky.

Overall: By far one of the most interesting, delicious chaotic brews I've had. Complex? No. Crazy as a 70's disco inferno? Yes!

Serving type: bottle

05-05-2012 03:57:42 | More by EkimGram

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

4.7/5  rDev +26.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a deep amber to black in color with a tan head. In the aroma, a small sweet to sour fruitiness and a licorice. In the taste, sweet alcohol, fruity white grape, plum, green apple, and licorice. A small bite, but mainly smooth, with a medium bodied mouthfeel, with a small dry note of licorice and a small fruitiness in the aftertaste. A bit boozy, nice fruit, licorice, that lingers nicely.

Serving type: on-tap

07-03-2012 17:09:16 | More by OWSLEY069

Forestdruid

Illinois

4.78/5  rDev +28.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Head is light brown in color, thick, with fine, dense bubble structure. Dissipates after a minute or so, but lacing is even and sheeting.

Color is deep garnet.

Aroma is fantastic and reminiscent of a Cantillion-style kriek? Sour lambic notes were not what I was expecting at all. Touch of acetic acid like a flemish red. Raisins and red-fruit up front. Citrus hops present, but not distinct enough to recognize. Maybe vanilla?

Whoa. Intense. Not as sour as the lambic notes would suggest, but there is certainly a lambic funk. The raisin flavors are huge and along with the vanilla/caramel touches remind me of an aged sherry. Hops are restrained at first, but really jump out with continued sips. Grapefruit certainly. Quite complex with several layers of tastes popping up over time as the beer is sampled. Gets resinous and more hoppy as it warms. Initial sweetness begins to wane too.

Mouthfeel is thick as one might expect.

Overall, this is more complex than I was expecting and quite nice. Good beer to share and discuss.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2012 02:58:58 | More by Forestdruid

russwbeck

Virginia

4.83/5  rDev +29.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

On tap at Rustico Ballston $4 for 4oz

A: A very dark black pour with a slightly light brown head. A nice size, the head laces very nicely but could last a bit longer. 4.5

S: The aroma is nicely tart and surprisingly not dominated by bourbon or rye. Booze and sour, smells inviting. 4.5

T: The taste is really interesting. Built upon what seems to be a base of dark chocolate and booze. The rye and bourbon are much more prominent here. The sweet vanilla and aftertases of sour tartness really blend beautifully. The rye and bourbon add to the taste, which I like to see. A very well put together beer 5

MF: The body is heavy and velvety smooth on the palate. The booze is not offensive at all. Very drinkable 4.5

O: This is wonderful, hope the bottle is just as good. I absolutely recommend you grab this. Every beer in this series has been well above average. A new take on sour beers in my experience. 5

Serving type: on-tap

05-25-2012 02:24:36 | More by russwbeck